Capital Electric Cooperative Provides Reliable Power and Exceptional Service to More Than 18,000 Member-Owners

Residents of Burleigh County and southern Sheridan County receive electricity from a leading cooperative in the region. Capital Electric Cooperative has supported rural North Dakota residents since 1948 and has expanded to provide electricity to 18,863 member-owners across 22,567 meters. Capital Electric boasts low utility rates, diverse power supplies, and reliable electricity. Nearly half (46%) of power lines are buried cable, providing continuous power during even the coldest winter months.

“In the 30 years of living in my house, I have had one outage that lasted more than 10 minutes,” says Wes Engbrecht, Manager of Communications and IT for Capital Electric. “We also have a reputation for being very responsive. If you report an outage, there’s a good chance one of our linemen is already out working on it.”

Reliable and affordable utilities are important for any community, but Capital Electric has a direct impact on the businesses and residents who call Bismarck-Mandan home. Learn more about the value they provide. 

Member-Owners Enjoy Low Rates and Locally-Sourced Electricity

Capital Electric member-owners pay an average of 8 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for their electricity. For context, the national average cost of electricity is nearly 17 cents per kWh. North Dakota already has some of the lowest utility rates in the country, averaging 11 cents per kWh, but Capital Electric pushes this affordability even further.

“People love the low cost of living that comes with moving to North Dakota,” says Nathan Schneider, Vice President of Economic Development at the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC. “Residents spend less of their paychecks on utilities while businesses lower their operating costs.”

The electric co-op is a member of Central Power Electric Cooperative, Inc. and is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative. These partnerships allow Capital Electric to get fair electrical rates that also come from reliable sources.

The electricity provided for Capital Electric member-owners comes from a mixture of coal, natural gas, wind, and hydropower. An estimated 15% of the power produced for Capital Electric comes from the Garrison Dam on Lake Sakakawea.    

Member-Owners Have Direct Communication With their Electricity Provider

One of the main things that new residents in Bismarck-Mandan notice when they set up their utilities is that they can immediately reach one of the co-op employees for support. Capital Electric has 39 full-time staff members who help owner-members set up their accounts and address any concerns they have.  

“One of the things that makes us stand out is that we answer the phone when you call,” says Engbrecht. “It doesn’t go to an automated system.”

Engbrecht specifies that because Capital Electric is a cooperative, it does not have customers. Instead, every person who receives electricity from this organization is an owner-member who contributes to the success of the co-op. Engbrecht and his team are stewards of their money. 

Capital Electric Gives Back to Local Residents and Organizations

Not only does Capital Electric run its organization with member input, but it also gives back to the community throughout the year. Since 1997, Capital Electric has participated in Operation Roundup, an optional program in which participating members can choose to round up their bill to the nearest dollar. Individuals and organizations can request donations from the charitable fund, which reviews applications twice a year.

Capital Electric donates between $60,000 and $70,000 per year because of contributions to the fund. Recipients range from non-profit organizations and nursing homes to individuals going through a difficult time.

“A recipient could be a single mom and her kids who need help getting through the winter,” says Engbrecht. “These funds really help families at Christmas time.”

Engbrecht stresses that the donated money does not belong to the co-op. Members give money to the co-op through Operation Roundup and those funds go directly back into the community. 

Businesses Benefit from Working With Capital Electric

Capital Electric plays a significant role in economic development throughout Burleigh and Sheridan Counties. Not only does it provide reliable services at affordable prices, but co-op employees work directly with companies that move to the region.    

Capital Electric will send representatives to employers to better understand their infrastructure and utility needs. These co-op employees continue to work with the company throughout the construction process until their utilities are connected and their businesses are up and running.

“We put in extra money to make sure the business is covered and has the infrastructure it needs,” says Engbrecht. “Sometimes we need to provide redundant power sources to ensure reliability.”

New businesses in the area directly benefit Bismarck-Mandan residents. In addition to providing employment and tax revenue, businesses often use a steady load of electricity, preventing spikes that destabilize the infrastructure. There is also an economy of scale element, where businesses drive up demand and allow co-ops to secure favorable utility rates, which can then be passed on to members.

“Capital Electric is a major economic development partner for the Bismarck-Mandan region,” says Schneider. “We constantly boast about the quality of customer service and fair rates that this electric co-op provides.” 

Learn More About the Advantages of Moving to Bismark-Mandan

Low utility costs and ample housing contribute to the low cost of living in Bismarck-Mandan, but these are just a few reasons to move here. This region fosters business growth and comes with ample location advantages for employers. Learn why you should choose Bismarck-Mandan and grow with these cities.